Trapway sealing blockage clearing device

ABSTRACT

A device used for clearing and removing blockages in drains, specifically toilets, is presented. This device incorporates elements designed to create a complete seal around the entrance to a toilet&#39;s trapway in order to maximize the amount of vacuum and pressure that can be applied to removing a blockage and restoring the fixture to its original useable state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/525,844 for a “TRAPWAY SEALINGBLOCKAGE CLEARING DEVICE,” filed on Jun. 28, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plungers and drain clearing devices forblocked or clogged drains, including toilets.

BACKGROUND

Existing drain clearing devices, such as plungers, rely on sealing aboveand around the well of the toilet using an inverted rubber cup. Theforce generated toward breaking up or removing the blockage or clog isonly equivalent to how effectively the cup can seal when depressed orpulled back by the user. The effectiveness of a plunger's ability toseal and exert force is greatly compromised by the various shapes andstyles of a toilet's pan or bowl, which can result in an incompleteseal.

Furthermore, modern water conservation toilets have adopted increasinglylarger siphon jet systems to assist and enhance flushing performance. Ifa siphon jet is present, the siphon jet forms a direct link between theflush valve and the toilet bowl, such that a certain amount of forcegenerated by plunging will be transferred to this channel rather thanbeing applied to the trapway to clear the clog.

Existing plungers or drain clearing devices are unable to generateenough force to effectively clear difficult clogs within the toilet'strapway. A drain clearing device that could generate and direct a highamount of force on a clog, particularly in a water-saving toilet with alarge siphon jet, would be of considerable value in the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention provides a self-contained blockage clearing systemthat seals against the inside of the opening to the toilet's trapway.This fully utilizes all the generated force created and directs ittowards the blockage rather than permitting said force to be partiallydispersed between the trapway and the large siphon jet found in mostwater conservation toilets sold and installed within the last 10-15years. Moreover, a seal against the inside of the trapway provides amore secure and air/water tight seal for the plunging process.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved devicethat generates pressure/vacuum directly within a toilet's trapway toeffectively clean and clear clogs or blockages that cause the unit tonot function properly.

The invention comprises a telescopic handle and an enclosed containerthat can draw in and release water through a nozzle that is inserteddirectly into the trapway of a toilet. The ability to cycle water backand forth within the trapway generates and applies a great deal of forceand vacuum on the clog, which will in turn break up or dislodge theblockage. In many cases, the vacuum action created by pulling water backinto the invention's enclosed container is stronger than the minimalamount of force that lodged the clog within the trapway. The inventionalso features a flexible gasket like ring that forms an air-tight sealagainst the interior of the opening to any toilet trapway, regardless ofsize or shape.

In one broad aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for clearing ablockage from a drain having a trapway. The apparatus includes: a headportion having a gasket for sealing against the trapway and a nozzle fordrawing water and/or air into and out of the apparatus; a body portionhaving an enclosed container for storing water and/or air and a sealedchamber defined by the enclosed container, the nozzle, and a moveableplate; and a plunger arm within the enclosed container for moving theplate along a longitudinal axis of the body portion. The trapway may beof various types, including the trapway of a toilet, sink, or tub.

In some embodiments, the head and gasket form an air or water tight sealaround an opening of the trapway, preferably an inner surface of thetrapway. The gasket may be a resilient material, preferably one whichreturns to its original shape after use.

In some applications, the head may be frustoconical and/or the nozzlemay be disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of thebody portion. In one embodiment, the nozzle protrudes into the trapwayby a minimum of 25 mm and/or the nozzle has an opening that is at least25 mm in diameter.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a check valveconfigured to permit air in a head space of the sealed chamber to exitthe chamber when the chamber is under positive pressure. The check valvemay be of various types, including a double ball check valve disposed onthe plate comprising a pair of opposing ball check valves.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a handle connectedto the plunger arm, to assist a user in moving the plate, and/or asupport member disposed on the body portion, to assist the user informing a seal between the head portion and the trapway. The apparatusmay also include a release valve on the body portion at an end oppositethe head, the release valve being configured to permit excess air orwater to exit the container.

In some embodiments, the maximum volume of the sealed chamber is greaterthan the volume of the trapway. In one embodiment, the maximum volume ofthe sealed chamber is at least 1.5 liters.

In another broad aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing ablocked trapway. The method includes the steps of: a) forming anair-tight seal around an inside surface of opening of the trapway; b)suctioning water out of the trapway and into a sealed chamber; c)forcing water into the trapway, from the sealed chamber; and d)repeating steps b) to c) as required to dislodge a blockage from thetrapway. The trapway may be of various types, including the trapway of atoilet, sink, or tub. In some embodiments, the method includes anadditional step, prior to c), of exhausting gasses from a head space inthe sealed chamber.

The novel features of this invention are set forth within the appendedclaims. The invention will be best understood from the followingdescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a standard (prior art) toilet witha siphon jet flushing system.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention upon insertioninto the opening of a toilet trapway and before water is pulled into theenclosed container.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the present invention,illustrating the design of the head used to seal the toilet's trapway.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention inserted intothe trapway opening of a toilet as water is pushed from the enclosedcontainer towards the blockage.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the present inventionillustrating the design of the double check valve that may be installedon the plate situated inside the enclosed container of the device.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the present invention, illustrating the design of a single checkvalve that may be installed on the plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A depicts a standard water-saving toilet (100) according to theprior art. As seen therein, a flush valve (1) controls the entry ofwater into a jet channel (2). The jet channel (2) allows water to travelvery quickly from the tank to the toilet bowl, via a siphon jet (3). Thesiphon jet (3) directs water towards the trapway (4), to assist in theflushing action of the toilet (100).

FIGS. 1B to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. When thedevice (200) is inserted into the trapway (4) of a toilet, an air tightseal is formed around the head (10) and head gasket (11) of the device(200) by downward force applied by the user on the support member (13).Preferably, this seal is formed against the inside of the trapway (4).

The head gasket (11) is made of a resilient material that has memory andreturns to its original size and shape after pressure is applied to formthe seal in the trapway (4). Examples of such resilient materialsinclude latex foam, rubber, silicone, or the like. Preferably, the headgasket (11) has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the wellof the trapway, to increase the sealing force between the gasket (11)and the inside surface of the opening of the trapway (4).

The nozzle (14) of the plunger protrudes into the trapway (4),preferably by a minimum distance of 25 mm. The nozzle (14) may also beangled relative to the longitudinal axis of the sealed container (15),preferably at an angle of between 60 and 90 degrees, to better directthe forces generated by the device (200).

FIG. 2 shows the initial stage of use for the device (200), at the timeof insertion. Here, the enclosed container (15) is empty and the plungerarm (6) is in the down position. Once a seal is achieved the user pullsback on the handle (5), thus retracting the plunger arm (6) and theplate (8). This allows the enclosed container (15) to fill with water asillustrated in FIG. 4.

Filling the enclosed container (15) also applies vacuum to the blockage(16). A cap (7) may be provided at the top of the device to ensure theplate (8) and plunger arm (6) cannot be pulled out of the enclosedcontainer (15). A release valve (12) may also be included in the cap (7)to allow any air or water that may get past the plate (8) during thepush and pull cycle to be directed away from the user. Preferably, thecapacity of the enclosed container (15) is oversized (e.g. greater than1.5 liters) to ensure it can hold more contents than any given toilets'trapway (4).

If pulling back to create vacuum does not remove the blockage the usercan then push on the handle (5) to force the held water out of theenclosed container (15) through the nozzle (14). Preferably, the nozzle(14) has a diameter of at least 25 mm to generate pressure on theblockage in an attempt to push it out of the trapway (4).

If necessary, the user can cycle back and forth between pulling waterinto and forcing it out of the enclosed container (15). This action willbreak-up and disperse a difficult blockage (16). In many cases, theforce of pulling back on handle (5) is sufficient release the clog,particularly if the force that caused the blockage (16) is smaller thanthe amount of vacuum applied through the use of the device.

FIG. 5 illustrates how a check valve (9) can be utilized within thedevice to ensure that the maximum amount of vacuum and pressure istransferred and applied to the blockage with each cycle. Since mostblockages (16) will not completely (100%) stop the flow of air or waterwithin the trapway (4) it is likely that air will also flow into theenclosed container (15) during the vacuum (pull-back) cycle. This air isdrawn from behind the blockage (16) since the location of the clog canbe anywhere along the path of the trapway (4) to the drain. When theuser applies pressure on the blockage (16) by pushing the handle (5),the check valve (9) exhausts any air trapped within the enclosedcontainer (15), thereby applying the full force of water pressure intothe trapway to surge the blockage (16). This is particularly useful forclearing toilets that feature a pressurized trapway system, such asthose disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,251.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the check valve (9) is a double-ballcheck valve comprising a pair of cages (17, 18) that retain balls (19,20) that alternately block an opening in the plate (8). When the userapplies vacuum by pulling back on the handle (5), the top check valve(17) opens and the bottom check valve (18) closes, maximizing draw andvacuum power. Other check valve arrangements are also contemplated,including flapper designs, single-ball check valves, and the like. Forexample, and without limitation, FIG. 6 provides an alternativeembodiment in which a single check valve (17′) serves a similarfunction.

Although described in the context of toilets, it would be understood bythe person of skill in the art that the invention may also be used toclear sinks, tubs, and other plumbing fixtures that have an accessibletrapway. The parts and components described above may be scaled down asnecessary to suit such applications.

The embodiments in the present disclosure are intended to be examplesonly. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modificationsand variations to the particular embodiments without departing from theintended scope of the present application.

In particular, features from one or more of the above-describedembodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised ofa subcombination of features which may not be explicitly describedabove. In addition, features from one or more of the above-describedembodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodimentscomprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitlydescribed above. Features suitable for such combinations andsubcombinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the artupon review of the present application as a whole. The subject matterdescribed herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embraceall suitable changes in technology.

1. An apparatus for clearing a blockage from a drain having a trapway,the apparatus comprising: a head portion having a gasket for sealing theapparatus to the trapway and a nozzle for drawing water and/or air intoand out of the apparatus; a body portion having an enclosed containerfor storing water and/or air and a sealed chamber defined by theenclosed container, the nozzle, and a moveable plate; and a plunger armwithin the enclosed container for moving the plate along a longitudinalaxis of the body portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said headand said gasket forms an air or water tight seal around an opening ofthe trapway.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the seal is formedwithin an inner surface of the trapway.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the head is frustoconical and the nozzle is disposed at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a check valveconfigured to permit air in a head space of the sealed chamber to exitthe chamber when the chamber is under positive pressure.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the check valve is a double ball checkvalve disposed on the plate.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus further comprises a handle connected to the plunger arm, toassist a user in moving the plate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus further comprises a support member disposed on the bodyportion, to assist the user in forming a seal between the head portionand the trapway.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatusfurther comprises a release valve on the body portion at an end oppositethe head, the release valve being configured to permit excess air orwater to exit the container.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thegasket is made of a resilient material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the gasket returns to its original shape after use.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the nozzle protrudes into the trapway by aminimum of 25 mm.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle hasan opening that is at least 25 mm in diameter.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the maximum volume of the sealed chamber is greaterthan the volume of the trapway.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe maximum volume of the sealed chamber is at least 1.5 liters.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the trapway is the trapway of a toilet.17. A method of clearing a blocked trapway, the method comprising: a)forming an air-tight seal around an inside surface of the trapway; b)suctioning water out of the trapway and into a sealed chamber; c)forcing water into the trapway, from the sealed chamber; and d)repeating steps b) to c) as required to dislodge a blockage from thetrapway.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to stepc), exhausting gasses from a head space in the sealed chamber.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the trapway is the trapway of a toilet.